Canadians Get Up-Close with Culture September 30 to October 2

Toronto, ON, September 19, 2016–Canadians are invited to fall in love with arts and culture during Culture Days. From September 30 to October 2, the 7th annual Culture Days weekend will offer participants an eclectic range of free, rare-access, and hands-on arts and culture activities available locally.

Every year during Culture Days over 800 Canadian rural and urban communities alike collaborate to showcase their unique part in Canada’s diverse artistic and cultural mosaic. This year, experience a hybrid of dance and fitness with Pow-Wow boot camp in St. Catharines, Ontario or inspire young artists to bloom in Winnipeg, Manitoba; be transported to ancient Japan for traditional tea in Kelowna, British Columbia, or channel The Group of Seven whilepainting surrounding landscapes with friends in Millarville, Alberta; take to theperformancestage in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan or free the inner artisan while glass blowingin Whitehorse, Yukon. Having initiated Culture Days in 2009, Canada’s largest arts organizations including the Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver Opera, the Stratford Festival, Canada’s National Ballet School, and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet are also leading the way in their cities with unique Culture Days activities. Choices abound as creativity soars.

“It’s incredible how Culture Days has been adopted in so many corners of the country by artists and creators, organizations, communities and cities as a vehicle to celebrate and share their creative talents, programs and cultural traditions with their fellow citizens,” commented David Moss, National Executive Director. “We are thrilled with the ongoing growth and maturation of Culture Days as an integral pillar of the Canadian cultural calendar.”

THIS YEAR’S ACTIVITIES: This year, organizers expect a record number of more than 8,000 Culture Days activities to be presented, all free of charge. Culture Days activities are curated and hosted by individual artists, organizations of all sizes and disciplines, community arts initiatives, municipalities and businesses. Click HERE for a personal invite. The weekend offers a startling array of rare-access and hands-on arts and culture activities in hundreds of local communities across Canada. Activities span indigenous cultural traditions to new media,craftsand music of all forms to culinary and agriculture, literature and spoken word to theatre,film, design and everything in between! Whether discovering something new, or revisiting an old favourite, there’s something for everyone, everywhere. Click HERE to search the full range of activities by location and type happening September 30 to October 2.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND WITH THE BRIGHT SPOTS SCHEDULE: Creating a personalized Culture Days weekend itinerary of activities is made easy with the Culture Days Bright Spots Schedule. This innovative tool is generously made possible by Sun Life Financial through its award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible TM program. Click HERE to get started.

“At Sun Life, we believe that all Canadians should be able to enjoy arts and culture regardless of their means. It’s through our award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible™ program that we’re able to support many arts organizations across Canada, enabling individuals and families to enjoy the best of arts and culture our country has to offer,” said Paul Joliat, Assistant Vice- President, Philanthropy and Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial. “As the National Partner of this grassroots, community-based movement, we're pleased to play a role in the success of this national celebration of culture.”